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'FROZEN'. Jeane Napoles (in blue) celebrates with family members at a party place in SM Aura.

MANILA, Philippines – While news of the return to Manila of Jeane Napoles was confirmed by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) only in mid-March, the daughter of Janet Napoles – the alleged mastermind of the biggest corruption scandal in the country’s recent history – was sighted in a party in Manila as early as October 2014.

Napoles had previously denied her daughter was back in the country. A GMA Newsreport on March 20 quoted her as saying, "Siguro naman kung nandito na siya, isa ako sa mga unang makakaalam." (It's likely I would be the first to know if she were here.) She also said Jeane was set to arrive this week, if not late last week.

But contrary to Napoles' claim, a smiling Jeane was photographed with family members in a children's party on October 10, 2014. The party was a celebration of the birthday of her cousin Ellie, youngest daughter of Reynald “Jojo” Lim.

Janet Napoles, nicknamed the pork barrel queen, is currently detained as she faces 5 counts of plunder, 74 counts of graft, and 14 counts of malversation. Napoles is accused of funnelling millions of pesos of taxpayers’ money to her fake non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and colluding with lawmakers to pocket the funds. (READ: Janet Napoles: From scandal to surrender)

OCTOBER APPEARANCE. Jeane Napoles was in Manila as early as October. Photo from Rappler

In the photo above, Jeane is seen wearing a designer crossbody Balenciaga purse estimated to cost about P44,865 ($1,000) and Dior tribales earrings popular among Hollywood celebrities worth about P31,416 ($700). Her older sister Jo Christine is pictured carrying a Celine handbag, estimated to cost about P89,730 ($2,000).

Pricey party

The party, held at Kidzville in upscale SM Aura, is estimated to have had about 100 guests including children and adults, according to a source privy to the information. According to Kidzville’s party package, a party for 30 kids could run anywhere between P35,500-P63,000 ($780-$1,400), with every additional child costing P1,184-P2,100 ($26 - $47).

That price includes 4 different party themes to choose from, including Pirates, Carnival, Princess and Under the Sea. The party had a Frozen theme, after the popular Disney movie.

The package does not include food for adults, which, according to the source, was catered.

Additionally, there were several food carts offering popcorn, hotdogs and nachos, among others, as well as a face painter.

The birthday cake of the celebrant was especially distinct, having been created by Penk Ching, a world-class cake artist. Ching has made cakes for various historic events such as the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the inauguration of President Benigno Aquino III, and the University of Sto Tomas’ 400th anniversary.

In a phone interview Saturday, March 21, Morales said her daughter is a friend of the birthday celebrant, since she lives in the same apartment complex as Janet and Jojo.

Morales also said she knows Jojo and his wife Anna, but maintained they are only neighbors, adding that she and Anna are “not good friends.” Anna was also charged, along with Jojo, for falsification of public documents in a separate Sandiganbayan case in connection with the ghost delivery of Kevlar helmets to the Philippine Marines in 1998 – believed to be the case where Janet learned the tricks of the trade.

Morales said she was friends with Anna and Jojo even before the story on the Napoleses broke, adding that she only realized they were related to Janet, who she referred to as “Jenny,” when the news reports came out. Jenny is Janet’s nickname among friends.

Morales also said she had been trying to get an interview with Janet, Jojo and Jeane, but had been unsuccessful, except for an interview with Janet when the news about her first came out.

ANATOMY OF A PHOTO. The Napoles family without Janet Napoles is pictured at her niece's birthday party. Photo from Rappler

Morales likewise said she wasn't aware Jeane was back in the country as early as October and that she did not recognize her even if they were in the same party and photo. “I really didn’t know she was there,” Morales said, referring to Jeane.

Stories about the Napoles daughter being back in the country broke last week when the immigration bureau confirmed her arrival. – Rappler.com

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).